Fortunately, that little bit of humor helped put things in perspective. And I recalled again why I chose him as my physician.

For years, I have used an “I Can Do It” daily calendar, which offers positive thoughts and words of wisdom daily. My calendar saying the day of the accident was very fitting: “I always choose a health professional who is just right for my current needs.”

How perfect! From my friend Helen to Dr. Goering and his nurse Lisa, there were so many wonderful people who participated in my care.

At my best estimate, there were 22 in all!

But a few stand out. First was Helen, who went to the ER with us and knew just the right questions to ask.

Then there was the person who attended me in the ambulance, calmed me with interesting conversation and promised to e-mail when his mother finds a publisher for her first book.

The surgeon Dr. McEachern, his nurse Angie and the kind, competent home health nurses — Valerie and Lori. And most of all my family, who suddenly became round-the-clock caregivers.

I was very depressed by my stupidity. I felt like Charlie Brown in Peanuts, who gets depressed about Christmas when things don’t work out for him.

But when I thought about all these competent and caring health-care workers, how could I be despondent?

So by Christmastime I was happy, because my healing had begun. And Christmas Day felt like a miracle.

After blizzard conditions the day before, Christmas Day dawned sunny and calm. We had just enough snow to enjoy a white Christmas.

And I realized there’s always a bright side to everything — if you just remember to look for it!